Tuesday, 28 May 2013

1997 Score Hobby Reserve baseball packs

The 1997 Score set consisted of 551 cards split into two series. Series 1 #1-330 and Series 2 #331 - 550. card #551 was a short printed card of Hideki Irabu in both English and Japanese.
The Hobby Reserve was distributed exclusively to the Hobby was printed on premium stock card, Series 1 had a grey border.
There are two parallel versions: Showcase and Artist Proofs. A parallel set called 'Reserve Collection' was only available in Series 2 reserve packs.
There are a number of inserts: Pitch Prefect, Titanic Taters, Hightlight (sic) Zone, Franchise, All-Star Fan fest, Stellar Season, Heart of the Order, Blast Masters, Heart of the Order and Stand and Deliver. Because of the unusual insert methods, certain inserts are only available in either retail, hobby or jumbo packs. Insertion ratios differ depending on the 'type' of pack purchased.
The Red Sox available in Series 2 are:
#344 John Wasdin
#395 Aaron Sele
#450 Steve Avery
#461 Tim Wakefield
#471 Rudy Pemberton
#473 Nomar Garciaparra
#510 Mo Vaughn Going Yard

I have 4 packs of Hobby Reserve, which contain 15 cards.

Pack 1:

#372 Edgardo Alfonzo Mets

#389 Midre Cummings Pirates

#393 Quilvio Veras Padres

#422 Shane Andrews Expos

#426 Felipe Crespo Blue Jays

#430 Roger Clemens Blue Jays

#432 Ernie Young Athletics

#434 Jeff Blauser Braves

#436 Carl Everett Mats

#465 Mike Bordick Orioles

#495 Albert Belle White Sox

#522 Hideo Nomo Dodgers

#534 Rusty Greer Rangers

#542 Roberto Alomar Orioles

#HR487 Chris Holt Astros RC

Pack 2:

#349 Chad Curtis Indians

#359 Allen Watson Angles

#364 Mark Clear Mets

#375 Steve Karsay Athletics

#388 John Smiley Reds

#407 Phil Nevin Tigers

#414 Jeff Fassero Mariners

#460 Mel Rojas Cubs

#461 Tim Wakefield Red Sox

#492 Kevin Orie Cubs RC

#502 Jeff Bagwell Astros

#526 Charles Nagy Indians

#528 Tom Glavine Braves

#529 Randy Johnson Mariners

#544 Jason Giambi Athletics

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Pack 3:

#341 Alex Fernandez Marlins

#342 Ruben Sierra Blue Jays

#370 Brad Ausmus Astros

#379 Lee Smith Expos

#420 David Segui Expos

#427 Jason Bates Rockies

#435 Lenny Dykstra Phillies

#437 Russ Davis Mariners

#445 Jose Valentin Brewers

#449 Jose Vizcaino Giants

#472 Keith Lockhart Braves

#480 Wilton Guerrero Dodgers

#491 Ray Montgomery Astros

#499 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners

#541 Paul Molitor Twins

Pack 4:

#341 Alex Fernandez Marlins

#342 Ruben Sierra Blue Jays

#370 Brad Ausmus Astros

#420 David Segui Expos

#423 Gary DiSarcina Angels

#427 Jason Bates Rockies

#431 Deion Sanders Reds

#435 Lenny Dykstra Phillies

#437 Russ Davis Mariners

#445 Jose Valentin Brewers

#454 Roberto Kelly Twins Artists Proof

#472 Keith Lockhart Braves

#489 Vladimir Guerrero Expos

#491 Ray Montgomery Astros

#499 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners

You may have noticed a similarity between packs 3 and 4, 12 of the cards were in both packs- excellent quality control.